Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

"Is your documentary a personal project, or is it from a CCTV program?"

Fan Xingman said very seriously: "It's a personal interest of mine. I'm particularly interested in how an all-around artistic talent works and lives on a daily basis. I believe many newspapers and magazines would also be very interested in this topic."

Yang Che shook his head: "Forget about filming. If you're interested, we can be friends and keep in touch. If you want to do personal documentation, you can point your camera at those moral exemplars and film their deeds. Right now, China is in a period of heightened social contradictions, and we need moral exemplars to unify the ideologies of all classes, thereby enhancing national cohesion and maintaining social stability."

Yes, you could create a program called "Touching China," and select several moral exemplars to broadcast annually.

Listening to Yang Che's eloquent speech, Zhang Dahuzi and Fan Xingman were somewhat petrified and remained silent for a moment.

Ma Jia watched everyone's reactions with curiosity.

Wang Fei took a small sip of water: "His thinking is very unpredictable, so don't mind him."

Fan Xingman was extremely upset. Before coming here, she had imagined Yang Che to be a genius who transcended worldly affairs. Now she saw that he was indeed a genius, able to come up with program ideas that shook her to her core in just a few words.

Being moved is one of the most precious emotions in human nature.

She could already imagine the scenes during the production of the show, and the scenes after it aired—how heartwarming they would be.

But when he says it, the starting point is politics and society; it's realistic and cold, not at all detached or artistic.

Okay, Yang Che wasn't showing off. He just thought Fan Xingman was a weirdo, and he was just playing around with her, since she wasn't particularly attractive. Actually, it was quite perverted, because it was essentially a form of mental bullying and molestation, and it happened in front of her boyfriend.

Of course, Zhang Dahuzi felt that Yang Che had sharp eyes and quick wit, and was indeed a great talent.

"That's a good idea, Xingman, you can consider it, since you've never really liked doing news anyway."

Fan Xingman nodded blankly: "Thank you, that's a great idea."

After meeting Yang Che and Wang Fei's probing gazes, Zhang Dahuzi said in a refined manner, "I've come to visit you two to ask you to compose a theme song for 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer'."

"Didn't you invite Zhao Jiping and Yi Ming this time?"

Yang Che had just asked a question when he immediately answered it himself: "Producer Zhang, you can't pair the two of us up for promotion. She doesn't participate in the publicity for my movie."

Wang Fei glanced at him and said reproachfully, "Don't talk nonsense. You didn't come to me. Besides, I booked the whole place, okay?"

Zhang Da Hu Zi was a little uncomfortable. "You two are a perfect couple, you can flirt later," he thought, but he was also a little hesitant because he couldn't offer a high price.

Fan Xingman felt much better after seeing this.

Ma Jia especially hoped that Zhang Da Huzi would owe her a favor, so that Ya Peng could continue to act in so many martial arts dramas in the future. But she was in a bit of a dilemma at the moment and didn't know what to say, after all, Wang Fei was obviously prioritizing women over friends.

Having his thoughts exposed, Zhang Dahuzi simply let loose: "Zhao Jiping and Yi Ming were naturally invited."

The reason we're still approaching you two is primarily due to promotional considerations, and we hope you understand. As the first Jin Yong martial arts drama adapted for mainland China, *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer* faces immense pressure. Your assistance would be a huge help to the production. It would also ensure the smooth acquisition of the subsequent copyrights, and we hope to collaborate with Mr. Yang's company at that time.”

That's more like it. Why be so secretive when you speak?

Yang Che glanced at Wang Fei, who looked completely indifferent, and then he had an idea.

"Producer Zhang, like this..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Da Huzi quickly bowed forward.

Yang Che paused for a moment: "Those two are masters, it would be disrespectful for me to interfere. After they finish writing, I can see if it suits her or make some adjustments."

Wang Fei glanced at Ma Jia, who was filled with gratitude, and then looked at her boyfriend with a rather arrogant tone, adding, "I don't need money for good songs, and I won't sing bad songs no matter how much money you offer."

This was actually meant for Zhang Dahuzi's ears.

Since Ma Jia explained the situation to Wang Fei, this was a personal favor.

Of course, my boyfriend's company doesn't invest in TV dramas. As long as a TV drama based on Jin Yong's works is not bad, it will make money, so this is still a favor.

Zhang the Bearded Man was very excited. He punched his palm and said, "It's settled then."

Ma Jia found Yang Che more agreeable.

Fan Xingman looked at Yang Che with even more disappointment. His extraordinary talent was actually quite shrewd. Fortunately, he spoke frankly, or you could say he was arrogant. After all, he was humble when talking about Zhao Jiping and Yi Ming, though he was still hypocritical.

After finishing their business, it was time for dinner. Fan Xingman said she had other things to do at the station and left. Zhang Dahuzi naturally offered to treat them to dinner, but in the end, Wang Fei treated them to hot pot, since there was also a band and recording team there.

During the meal, although Yang Che believed that Wang Xinmin was the best martial arts director in China, he still chatted with Zhang Dahuzi for a long time.

Meanwhile, the people eating at the same table listened to what sounded like an argument between the two.

At the beginning, Yang Che deliberately asked Zhang Dahuzi for his opinion on Yue Buqun, whether he was a hypocrite from the beginning or only turned bad later.

Zhang the Bearded Man said, "He was a hypocrite from the very beginning."

"Being adept at political maneuvering and skilled at disguise is fine, but it can't all be a matter of moral judgment; it's essentially a structural tragedy."

It took Zhang Dahuzi several seconds to understand what Yang Che was saying, and then they started arguing. Zhang Dahuzi said that Linghu Chong had endured many hardships and voluntarily retired to a life of freedom, making him a recluse. Yang Che said no, Linghu Chong was just a coward who couldn't get what he wanted and passively ran away.

Zhang said that the theme of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" is about how power corrupts people's hearts, while Yang Che said it is about whether individuals have the right to choose under the predicament of the system.

Zhang Dahuzi felt like his intelligence was being rubbed into the ground. In the end, he didn't want to talk anymore and said righteously, "What I said were all Jin Yong's views. He told me personally: Power corrupts people's hearts. The Smiling, Proud Wanderer is a political allegory."

Yang Che said, "Jin Yong's use of political metaphors is too shallow, and even vulgar and obscene. When he visits the set next time, tell me, and I'll go and generate some buzz for you. I'll ask him what Dongfang Bubai is and what Blackwood Cliff is."

The onlookers listened with great interest, but Zhang Da Hu Zi broke out in a cold sweat and said in Longcheng dialect, "You can't say that."

Yang Che laughed heartily: "Jin Yong's stories are alright, but the others are just so-so."

He's really arrogant.

Those around him didn't think he was arrogant. Although Zhang Da Huzi was displeased, he didn't think he was arrogant either, which wasn't surprising.